ZHENG HE Legendary Explorer

The seven naval expeditions of Admiral Zheng He from Ming Dynasty China to India, the Middle East and Africa have fascinated the world for centuries. ASIAN Geographic looks at the advanced naval technology and treasures transported from China to the rest of the world.

- Terence Koh

After finally overthrowing the Mongolian Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368), ending close to a century under foreign rule, the first emperors of China’s Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) wanted to demonstrate the power of Ming China and initiated military campaigns against the Mongolians to the north and west. The third Ming emperor, Zhu Di, or the Yongle Emperor, in particular, took this philosophy a step further by personally leading military campaigns against the Mongolians. However, one of his most ambitious projects was the revival of China’s traditional tribute system whereby neighbouring countries agreed to recognise the superiority of China with the gifting of regular tribute gifts in exchange for military posts and trade treaties. The direct execution of this policy was effected through the launching of the famed Ming Dynasty naval fleet on numerous expeditions to the territories around the South China Sea, the Indian Ocean, the Middle East and the east coast of Africa of what is now Somalia and Kenya. These naval expeditions – which were led by large wooden ships called treasure ships (宝船) reputed to be as large as 135 metres by 55 metres with as many as nine masts and sails – are are sometimes known as the “Ming treasure voyages”.

ZHENG HE AND THE MING TREASURE VOYAGES